Distillery Burns

April 6, 1986

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA — Fire destroyed one of the largest rum distilleries in Central America, the Flor de Cana plant in Chichigalpa, 90 miles northwest of Managua. A spark from a welder's torch ignited a tank filled with alcohol. A company official estimated the loss in the millions of dollars. The Pellas family, whose wealth and business holdings have been left largely intact by the Sandinista government, owns the plant.